Holdback for vehicles.



N0. 738,286.' PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1903- H BREIDING HOLDBAGK FOR VEHICLES. APPLIGATION FILED H13. 4. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

n M l W UNITED STATES Patented September 8 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

HOLDBACK F OR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,286, dated September 8, 1903. Application filed February 4, 1903. $erial No. 141.863. (N0 model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BREIDING, a citizen the United States, residing at Sterling, in the county of WVhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Holdbacks for Vehicles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying draw-' lugs, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in holdbacks; and it consists in a certain novel construction thereof, as will more fully appear in the following specification.

In the drawings, Figure l is a bottom plan view of my device as it appears secured to the under side of the shaft with the holdbackstrap in place. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the strap released. Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking from the inner side of the shaft,

1 represents a portion of the usual shaft to which is secured a plate 2 by means of two or more screws 3. The plate 2 has one of its edges turned over to form a ledge 4 in a plane parallel with the plane of the plate 2. Intogral with the ledge 4 and extending therefrom in the same plane is a tapering support 5, the inner edge of which forms an inclined shoulder 6.

comprising a long arm 8 and a short end 9, substantially at right angles thereto. The long arm of the lever 7 is curved upwardly at its free end and adapted to be tightly held by friction between the ledge land plate 2, in which position it acts as a guard to prevent the accidental release of the holdback-strap. The short arm 8 is provided with an upwardlyturned lug 10, the end of which bears at all times against the plate 2. There is thereby exerted upon the short arm 9 a downward pressure, which acting through the pivotal point tends to force the free end of the arm 8 upwardly and assist in holding the same in the position shown in Fig. 1. This also prevents any looseness or rattling of the parts. To further guard against the accidental release of the end of the arm 8, a depression 11 In the outer end of the support 5, as at a, is fulcrumed a bent-arm lever '7,"

(shown in dotted lines) may be provided in the plate 2 to permit a slight locking of such end therein.

12 indicates a portion of the holdback-strap in position in the device. To secure the strap in place the loop thereof is slipped over the guard (the same being open) and the strap drawn backward toward the shoulder or seat 6. In so doing the strap comes in contact with the short arm 9 and draws the same with it until the inner edge thereof is in line with the shoulder. hen this is accomplished the guard 8 has been moved inwardly and secured in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 1. hen the horse is unhitched and released from the shafts, the strap 12 comes in contact with the guard 8 and forces it open, permitting the release of the strap. It will be seen that when the guard is in position to secure the holdback-strap no looseness or ordinary jerking of such strap caused by the motion of the horse will cause the release thereof. The outward movement of the guard 8 is limited by the short arm 9 coming in contact with the bent portion of the plate 2.

The peculiar construction of my device renders it possible to form the plate 2 and attendant parts, as well as the lever 7, out of sheet metal, and the use thereof for that purpose is found to be'preferable, not only 011 account of the cheapness of manufacture thereof and consequent reduction of the cost,but the parts thus formed possess a certain amount of elasticity. In aholdback of my construction this is of great advantage, there being suiiiicient spring in the parts themselves to preclude the necessity of using any springmeinber to hold the guard in place, as is usual in devices of this class.

Another advantage of this construction is found in the fact that the device is virtually concealed on the lower side of the shaft, projecting only a short distance therefrom. In the event of the shaft dropping accidentally, caused by a breaking thereof or by the horse running away, the release of the holdlbaok strap is aided by the turning of the guard upwardly at its end, so that the strap slips readily upward therefrom.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

ICO

1. A holdback, comprising a plate, adapted to be secured to the shaft of avehicle; a ledge, supported on such plate in a plane parallel therewith, and a short distance therefrom; a support, projecting from such ledge, adapted to have a holdback-strap seated thereon; and a bell-crank lever, pivoted to such support, provided with a long arm, or guard member, having its free end formed so as to be embraced between such plate and ledge, and provided further with a short arm, adapted to be drawn backward by the holdback strap, when such strap is being seated in the holdback, such operation of the short arm securing the guard member in place to prevent accidental release of the strap, substantially as set forth.

2. A holdback, comprising the combinatio of a plate, adapted to be secured to the shaft of a vehicle; a seat for the holdback strap, supported on such plate; a guard for the holdback-strap, pivoted'in such support, and having its free end curved toward such plate, so as to have contact therewith; and an arm, se-

cured to such guard at its pivotal point, and

so as to close said guard; and a lug, formed on such arm, the end of such lug having contact with the plate, whereby the friction between such lug and plate, and between the end of the guard and said plate, secures such guard from accidental release, substantially as described.

3. In a holdback, the combination of the plate 2, adapted to be secured to the shaft of a vehicle; the ledge 4:, formed on the plate 2 by turning over one edge thereof; the support 5, extending from such ledge; the lever 7, comprising a guard 8, so formed as to be automatically released upon the removal of the holdback-strap, and having its free end curved so as to be engaged between such plate and ledge; the short arm 9, provided with the lug 10; and the depression 11 in the plate 2, convenient to the free end of the guard 8, substantially as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY BREIDING.

Vitnesses:

JOHN B. GALT, J. m BUYERs. 

